Individual reference values for 2D echocardiographic measurements. The Stockholm - Umeå Study.

Objectives: Improved reference values for 2D echocardiographic measurements are required, even when more recent echocardiographic technology is employed. In addition, it may be preferable to individualize reference values from age, gender and body characteristics of any subject.

Design: A material of 180 healthy subjects was collected and investigated, aiming for an even distribution of sex and age (from 20 to 80 years of age; the Stockholm material).

No additive effect of passive containment surgery in patients with aortic regurgitation and left ventricular dilation.

Background: After valve replacement in patients with aortic regurgitation short-term and long-term improvement of left ventricular function are related to early reduction of left ventricular dilatation. This case-control study was conducted to investigate the potential beneficial effects by concomitant application of the Acorn Cor Cap Cardiac Support Device (Acorn Cardiovascular Inc, St. Paul, MN) on reduction of ventricular dilatation in patients with aortic regurgitation and advanced ventricular dilatation undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Electromechanical effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy during rest and stress in patients with heart failure.

Background: Haemodynamic and functional effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) have been studied mostly at rest. CRT effects on left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and function during stress have not been evaluated in detail.

Aims: We studied the electromechanical effects of CRT at rest and during Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), during active and withheld CRT.

Follow-up of patients operated on with arterial patch angioplasty of the left main coronary artery.

Background: Surgical angioplasty of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) can be performed with good results in selected patients. It restores the native antegrade blood flow in the LMCA and does not leave the patient with a graft-dependent retrograde perfusion. By using a proximal segment of the right internal mammary artery as patch material, we assumed that this would minimize the risk of restenosis of the LMCA.

Synthesis and reactivity of laquinimod, a quinoline-3-carboxamide: intramolecular transfer of the enol proton to a nitrogen atom as a plausible mechanism for ketene formation.

5-Chloro-N-ethyl-1,2-dihydro-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-oxo-N-phenyl-3-quinolinecarboxamide (laquinimod, 2) is an oral drug in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The final step in the synthesis of 2 is a high-yielding aminolysis reaction of ester 1 with N-ethylaniline. An equilibrium exists between 1 and 2, and removal of formed methanol during the reaction is a prerequisite for obtaining high yields of 2 from 1.

Initial experience with GLP-1 treatment on metabolic control and myocardial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious disease with a poor prognosis. Diabetes is an independent risk factor for CHF, probably in part due to disturbances in myocardial metabolism. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) causes glucose-dependent secretion of insulin, improving glycaemic control.

Echocardiographic findings using tissue velocity imaging following passive containment surgery with the Acorn CorCap cardiac support device.

Objective: To echocardiographically evaluate the effects of passive containment surgery using the CorCap Cardiac Support Device in heart failure patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: Twelve patients with dilated cardiomyopathy subjected to cardiac surgery received the Cardiac Support Device. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (n=5) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery receiving 1-3 bypass grafts.

Reversal of ventricular dilatation in aortic regurgitation after valve replacement and cardiac support implant surgery using the CorCap cardiac support device.

The effects of combined aortic valve replacement, coronary bypass surgery, and passive containment surgery in a patient with long-standing aortic regurgitation and marked ventricular dilatation are described. After surgery there was a rapid decrease in left ventricular size and maintained ventricular function.

Early results with cardiac support device implant in patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the possible beneficial echocardiographic, functional and quality of life improving effects of passive containment surgery using the CorCap Cardiac Support Device in heart failure patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Design: Eight patients with dilated cardiomyopathy subjected to cardiac surgery received the Cardiac Support Device. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (n = 4) underwent coronary artery bypass surgery receiving one to three bypass grafts.